Nampa Man Sentenced To Prison For Injury To A Child & Heroin Possession

Bryan Taylor, Canyon County Prosecutor, announced today that Christopher S. Garrett, age 30, of Nampa, was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas J. Ryan for the felony crimes of Injury to a Child and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Garrett was found guilty of felony Injury to a Child following a jury trial in March of this year. He later plead guilty to felony Possession of a Controlled Substance (heroin) for a separate incident from May 2016.

Christopher S. Garrett

Judge Ryan sentenced Garrett to 2 years fixed, followed by 8 years indeterminate, on the Injury to a Child charge, and 2 years fixed, followed by 5 years indeterminate, on the Possession of a Controlled Substance charge. The sentences will run concurrently for a total unified sentenced of 10 years in prison. Judge Ryan also ordered Garrett to have no contact with the victim or the victim’s immediate family for the duration of the sentence. Garrett was also ordered to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.

Garrett was arrested on a felony warrant in September 2016 after an investigation by the Nampa Police Department revealed he physically abused the 6-month-old child of the woman he was dating. Medical records show the infant girl had visible bruising on and around her left ear, shoulder, and back, along with a significant subdural hematoma (brain bleed). An additional medical examination showed the subdural hematoma was likely the result of two separate events of traumatic head injury, occurring 1-2 weeks apart. Both of the doctors who examined the infant noted that the injuries were caused by non-accidental trauma and were not consistent with household falls or accidents.

During sentencing, Judge Ryan stated, “it’s come to light that this child was injured in your care and you may not have even known because you were high…you are the perfect example of how addiction can create actual victims. You shouldn’t have been left in charge of her while intoxicated.”

“We all have a responsibility to protect those in our society who can’t protect themselves; our children,” said Prosecutor Bryan Taylor. “Causing severe injuries and physical abuse like this to a 6-month old infant is unacceptable behavior in our community. As prosecutors it is our duty to hold Mr. Garrett accountable. He belongs in prison for what he did to this little one.”